From the outside, you would think Stephen Ira and Chaz Bono would have a lot in common. They're both transgender sons of uber-famous people in Hollywood and have had to live their transformation in the public eye, with all the scrutiny that comes along with it.

But it seems that Chaz's biggest critic is actually Stephen, who took to his blog a few weeks back to write a post called, "Why Chaz Bono Is a Misogynist Who Does Not Represent Us."

In his blog, Stephen condemns Chaz for his choice of words and actions in talking about his journey as a transgender. Stephen specifically calls attention to a quote from Chaz during an interview with ABC, in which Chaz said:

“If you are a man and you have breasts, any man would want to have them removed. It is scary for a woman to think about it because it is something that they are really attached to. Being male and having breasts is about the worst thing I could imagine"

For Stephen, this kind of mindset is "reinforcing the cissexist idea that having breasts that you intend to keep equals being a woman, which we know from the experiences of many non-op, non-binary and intersex people is just not true." He added that he felt Chaz is "ignoring the needs and lives of many people who belong to the very group he purports to represent and to fight for."

But that wasn't all. Later, Stephen quoted Chaz again from a NYT interview he did, in which he called being transgender a "birth defect, like a cleft palate." Yeah…no. Stephen didn't like that at all, and responded in his blog by writing:

"I do not have a birth defect. If you feel like you have a birth defect, fine. That’s how you feel. Go feel that. Do not put it onto me. Do not define me that way, and do not define other trans people that way unless they claim that label.

It’s beyond that, though. Chaz is a misogynist. He is a trans man who seems to believe that his female-assignedness and his female socialization makes him immune from being a misogynist, and he is manifestly wrong. "

Warren Beatty and Annette Benning should be as proud of their son for speaking his mind as Cher has always been of Chaz. There are always going to be multiple points of view on every issue, but we think Stephen does make some good points in his argument.

Ira is a logical and intelligent human being who sees through the circus freak show named Bono. Bono is a privileged Hollywood child who thinks her situation is unique, thinking that more media whoring will automatically get her sympathy. It's only created more disgust. Her DWTS performance was a joke. Kicking up a hoof once in a while and ending with the Travolta disco arm thrust is not dancing.

Maybe the term "birth defect" isn't the prettiest description, but I agree with what Chaz was trying to say. Obviously, if you are born with an outside that doesn't match the inside, something is not right. To imply that isn't the case, to me, is saying that it is more of a choice rather than a true medical problem. And I think that suggesting that is true is a much bigger disservice to the transgender community than anything that Chaz has said.
It seems like Stephen Ira just wants to hear himself use a lot of big words and pat himself on the back for it….and perhaps a little jealous of the attention that Chaz is getting.
Everybody who has to live through this is probably just trying to be happy. Chaz has never done anything to intentionally cause harm or give a bad name to transgender people. I don't know what Stephen's problem is, but I think he needs to respect the people who are doing so much to bring transgender issues into the mainstream. I suspect jealousy….I am not sure of what exactly…..but that is what I think.

Sounds like Stephen Ira knows the audience he is represented and Chaz is representing himself to an audience. But the birth defect thing… sounds to me it's semantics the same way I think about GaGa calling her fans little Monsters. But I do agree he negates others valid choice to keep boobs. Personally America would accept a good looking man with boobs and a dingle way more than an overweight transgered man. America loves boobs hates fat… what ev live and let live

I am not gay and not transgender…seems to me these two should be friends working to showcase their particular problems and efforts to adapt and overcome all the while hoping to help people with similar situations that don't have their parents support or financial backing.
As humans we are all individuals but we do share similar characteristics…just saying.

What would Stephen say about you tagging this entry under Gay-Gay-Gay? Sexual preference and gender identification are separate issues, and the fact that you associated this argument with a gay tag is spreading a misconception.

I'm sorry. I think Stephen is just being petty. People have a way of speaking in 'general' terms when describing individual experience and frequently make the mistake of stating 'opinion about other's opinions'. He's taking it personally. Get over it.

Stephen "Ira" sounds like a very spoiled head case. Now we know why poor Annette has aged in dog years. Poor Warren really got what he deserved after all that wh*ring around. BTW Stephen lose the "Ira". Real men do not have two first names.

Here's the thing. I've never seen Stephen Ira. Chaz has not hid himself behind computers and blogs. If Stephen is comfortable with himself and really wants to argue this issue, then he should become public.
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In regards to this transgender thing, I stay away from it.

Ira shouldnt be so critical of how Chaz views himself. Chaz's reflections of how he feels as a man stuck in a woman's body should not make Ira feel so attacked in feeling different than Chaz does.
And if Ira honestly feels he was born a boy with the wrong sexual organs, I dont see what else you can call it besides a birth defect. Stop being so sensitive. You really think nature intended to bore you with the mission of finding some way to change your sexual organs? if so, then you were born in the wrong body (birth defect) and you're looking to science to change that. I'm on team Chaz here all the way

Lemme get this straight. She was born a girl and likes boys just not the way girls like boys??!! WTF?! Ya. I would say Chaz doesn't represent her/him/whatever. Chaz's openness has done more for transgendered youth than this malicious sh*t disturber ever will.
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I do not think Chaz meant anything by the birth defect comment except to draw parallels and make the statement that it is something you are born with. AND, Chaz is spot on with the comment that no man would want breasts, unless they are a drag queen (ala RuPaul, but even his gorgeous self does not have them… Amanda Amanpur(sp?) maight have/want them though).
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Chaz has my respect. I think he is VERY VERY brave and a role model for the young who find themselves in similar situations (and they are out there!).
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In the interest of full disclosure: I am a 48 year old grandmother who has no gay friends (but I heard a gay couple lives on the other side of the tee, they have a lovely garden) or has ever met a transgender person.

There's no need to 'side' with either. Stephen Ira's truth is apparently different than Chaz's; but Chaz has the jump and the platform on getting his truth out there. Good for his chiming in, but the hissing could go.